Inez Pilsner, 93, of Mayville, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2026, surrounded by the love of family, the grace of friendship, and deep faith in the Lord.
I was born in rural Dodge County in 1932 to Regina and Raymond Luedtke and grew up on a small dairy farm alongside my brothers, Lloyd, Floyd, and Harvey, and my sisters, Verona and Laverne. Those early years during the Great Depression taught me the importance of hard work, family, resilience, and helping others.
In 1952, I married the love of my life, Howard Pilsner. Together we built a wonderful life filled with family, laughter, faith, and community. We raised three children — Terry, Brian, and Karen — living first on the family farm and later in Mayville, where Howard and I worked side by side in the family automotive business for many years. Howard and I loved dancing, cheering for the Green Bay Packers, and spending time with family and friends. He was my partner in every sense of the word — my husband, best friend, teammate, and the center of my world for 36 wonderful years.
In 1987, our lives changed when Howard was diagnosed with cancer. Our family came together during the most difficult time of our lives, supporting us through his illness and final months. Before Howard passed away in June of 1988, I promised him that I would be there “double” for our children and grandchildren, and love them enough for both of us. Losing Howard was the greatest heartbreak of my life, but his love, strength, humor, and devotion to family and faith remained with me every single day afterward. Even after all these years, he never left my heart.
I was also blessed with wonderful additions to our family over the years, including Brian’s wife Jennifer and Terry’s wife Jenny, both of whom brought love and happiness into our lives.
I was blessed with eight wonderful grandchildren, Jonathan, Christopher, Nicholas, Michael, Amy, Elizabeth, Jessica, and Matt. Over the years, I tried my best to keep the promise I made to Howard. Whether it was graduations, birthdays, holidays, sporting events, weddings, Packers games, or simply gathering together for laughter and Old Fashioneds; my greatest joy came from being with my children, grandchildren, and later my great-grandchildren.
One of my favorite memories came during COVID, when all of my grandchildren gathered together on a Zoom call and spent the evening telling “drinking stories” about their grandmother. We laughed until we cried, and it reminded me how fortunate I was that even in my later years my grandchildren still loved spending time with me, celebrating life together, and creating memories that will live on long after I’m gone.
In recent years, I was especially blessed to welcome my great-grandchildren, Ryder, Delanie, Lilliana, and Finnlee into the family, with two more expected soon. They brought me endless smiles and reminded me how beautiful life continues to be across generations.
I was fortunate to spend my entire life close to the people and places I loved. I treasured my extended Luedtke family, lifelong friendships, and especially the close bond with my beloved sister Verona, who survives me at age 100.
I hope to be remembered not for fame or accomplishments, but as a woman of faith, grace, kindness, and love — someone who cared deeply for family and friends, enjoyed life fully, and always tried to leave things a little better than she found them.
Visitation will be held Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. until noon at St. John's Lutheran Church. At 12 p.m., Rev. Dr. Pastor Mark Cutler will lead my funeral service, filled with Bible passages and hymns I have selected. Burial will take place at Union Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mayville. I love you all and please know that now I’m in a good place, with my lifelong love Howard and with my Lord.
Inez
Koepsell Funeral Home in Mayville is caring for the family. www.Koepsellfh.com
